This gene encodes a member of the MYC/MAX/MAD network of basic helix-loop-helix leucine zipper transcription factors. The MYC/MAX/MAD transcription factors mediate cellular proliferation，differentiation and apoptosis. The encoded protein antagonizes MYC-mediated transcriptional activation of target genes by competing for the binding partner MAX and recruiting repressor complexes containing histone deacetylases. Mutations in this gene may play a role in acute leukemia，and the encoded protein is a potential tumor suppressor. Alternatively spliced transcript variants encoding multiple isoforms have been observed for this gene. [provided by RefSeq，Feb 2011]